First Division

Today

Old Belvedere v Dolphin

The useful Barry Murphy makes a timely return to the Belvedere team for his first AIL start of the campaign, while Ray Ward also comes in to beef up the frontrow. Belvedere desperately need to open their account at home in a game which already has the look of a relegation four-pointer about it.

Dolphin, though, have performed creditably and with the optimism of a newly promoted side. Hardened by a couple of Limerick assignments, they could take a further important step to cementing their topflight status.

Terenure v Ballymena

Scandalously for those of us who like to be entertained on a Saturday afternoon, Terenure have omitted Paul Hennebry to accommodate the return to fitness of Shane Cullen, with Cillian de Gascun coming in at centre. This has happened before and Hennebry still started against St Mary's, so the weather could yet change plans again. Gerry Murphy has still to decide over the more rounded talents of James Blaney or the more accurate arm of David Crossan while Colin Potts starts ahead of Pat Holden. Innes Gray earns the Ballymena left-wing slot over fellow Ulster representative Andy Park in a tacit demonstration of their strength in depth. Sheldon Coulter's return has been delayed after a recurrence of his leg injury but otherwise Ballymena are at full strength and in good shape, with Andy Matchett in prolific form.

A hard-nosed, experienced Ballymena pack have the wherewithal to lord possession in a forward-orientated game with Derek McAleese still more of a kicking out-half.

Old Crescent v St Mary's

Crescent still haven't finalised their team although there is liable to be a makeshift look to it again with Len Dinneen and Brian Toland forming a new second-row partnership in the absence of Darragh Kirby. Former Shannon player Anton Meany comes into the back row at open-side wing-forward. Given Shannon's riches in that department, he could be a worldbeater. But even allowing for Trevor Brennan's cruel long-term absence, Meany might have to be if pointless Crescent are to stem a revived and free-scoring St Mary's, bad weather or not.

Blackrock v Garryowen

Blackrock are possibly the most enigmatic of the many mercurial Dublin outfits. Sunk without trace at St Mary's and Ballymena especially, in between they blitzed an admittedly out-of-sorts Lansdowne off the park.

Stradbrook is reputedly in good nick but the conditions will almost certainly be more to Garryowen's liking. Stephen McIvor, Paul Spain, Pat Humphreys and Van Humphreys return to the Garryowen team after missing the Limerick Charity Cup semi-final win over Shannon, a result which may have signalled that Philip Danagher's side have finally awoken from their early season slumber and various sets of grievances.

Dungannon v Lansdowne

This is a sort of litmus test for both sides in terms of steering clear of the relegation issue. Dun gannon coach Keith Patton has targeted a haul of six points from the next five games, which, if achieved, "would mean we could start to look up rather than sideways or backwards."

The same is true of Lansdowne, steadily being revived under the White-McQuilkin-Spring coaching axis since the departure of Paul Clinch. First the defence was shored up, witness the league draw with Terenure, then the attack was expanded, witness the Leinster Championship decider. With McQuilkin calling the shots, and strengthening the defence, and Governey rediscovering their confidence, a victory here would signal an altogether more promising campaign.

Clontarf v Cork Constitution

Clontarf would probably have settled for rubbing shoulders with Constitution on two points going into this meeting - less so Constitution themselves. Ray Coughlan's side have been a big disappointment, even allowing for narrow defeats by Terenure and Crescent. Clontarf have their trio of Limerick jousts out of the way and, on a line through Crescent, could push Constitution at home. But the Cork side will surely start to improve soon.

Tomorrow

Shannon v Young Munster

James Carey gets in ahead of Dave Walsh on the Young Munster right wing, though he is unlikely to see too much of the ball. What with a dog day afternoon and pudding of a pitch forecast, this promises to be an impassioned, parochial, low-scoring, forward-orientated step back in time.

Shannon folk aren't singing from the rooftops yet, but they're going well - which in itself is commentary about their dominance. None of their three outings so far will have prepared them for this, and Munsters' have, untypically, made a strong start, but the likes of Galwey, Halvey, Foley and company have been through it all before and they haven't lost in Thomond Park for over three years. Shannon to win.

Division Two

Sunday's Well v Galwegians

Galwegians haven't really started firing yet by all reliable accounts and Eric Elwood's strike rate is lower than his norm, yet the nucleus of their Connachtmen have the winning habit and they are the division's leading scorers.

Sunday's Well are sure to give them their toughest test so far but their 21-6 defeat by Buccaneers may also put their own promotion hopes in a truer perspective, as well as pointing to that Galwegians-Buccaneers showdown on the 24th. Galwegians to win.

City of Derry v Skerries

Keith Gallick has proved a serious loss to City of Derry who, while capable of scoring tries from anywhere, have shipped more points than anyone else in this division. Skerries have retained their spirit, an aggressive, pressurising defence and an ability to win tight matches should this become tight.

Bective v Buccaneers

Not surprisingly a much-changed Bective have struggled, losing their way and their coach already, and perhaps their Rangers' spirit. A campaign that might have pointed to another promotion push now looks like a relegation dogfight, with no sign yet that they have the forward power or scoring power to seriously trouble confident Buccaneers.

UCC V Instonians

UCC have surpassed expectations with their strong early-season form at collegiate level and in the league. What's more, they are likely to improve as the season progresses. Instonians will provide a decent enough test but one that UCC should still pass.

Malone v Greystones - off

Wanderers v Old Wesley - off